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In what was one of the most electrifying nights of poker action streamed in 2024, the July Hustler Casino Live special celebrity game delivered some of the biggest cash game moments, including massive slowrolls to huge bluffs.
But amid the chaos, one hand in particular stood out: a remarkable showdown between soccer legend Neymar and fan-favorite poker player Alan Keating.
The PokerStars ambassador Neymar found himself deep in a wild pot with Keating, where the action escalated to jaw-dropping levels. With millions of dollars on the line, the poker gods seemed to favor the Brazilian superstar as he walked away with an astonishing win. But the twists and turns along the way are what made this hand truly unforgettable.
A High-Stakes Celebrity Showdown
The game featured some of the wealthiest athletes and most popular social media personalities. Among the star-studded cast were boxer Ryan Garcia, Twitch legend Ninja, and, of course, Neymar.
Early in the session, Ninja had already created a stir by slow-rolling Ryan Garcia, adding fuel to the fire for what was already shaping up to be a thrilling evening. But it wasn’t until hours later that the hand between Neymar and Keating would take center stage.
The hand began with some loose play. Boxer Chris Eubank Jr. raised to $1,000 with a 6♦5♠, and Ninja called with K♦10♣. Neymar, holding 9♣5♥, entered the pot as well, and Keating, on the button with A♦4♦, raised it to $5,000. The action quickly escalated, with all three opponents calling.
The flop came Q♦9♦2♣, giving Keating the nut-flush draw. He bet $10,000, and Ninja and Neymar both called.
When the 6♠ landed on the turn, both Ninja and Neymar checked, and Keating moved all-in for $74,400. Ninja folded, but Neymar called with only second pair.
The pair agreed to run it twice, dealing two separate river cards, each awarding half the pot.
The first river card came out 3♦, giving Keating the win for the first run. But on the second river, the 5♣ turned up, giving Neymar the other half of the pot.
Action or Degeneracy?
However, there was more action still to come. Keating, not satisfied with the split pot, offered Neymar a third river for $50,000. Neymar, ever the sportsman, agreed, and the dealer revealed the Q♥. Neymar won again, adding another $50,000 to his stack. But Keating wasn’t done yet. He pushed for more flips, offering $75,000 on the next one, then $60,000 each, hoping for a comeback.
However, the poker gods had other plans. Despite his best efforts, Keating lost seven consecutive river runs, including six consecutive side pot flips. The drama was escalating quickly, as Keating found himself down $150,000 by the end of the third flip.
Undeterred, Keating requested one last flip for $75,000, and Neymar accepted. But once again, the river turned out to be another blank for Keating—a 10♠, giving Neymar yet another victory.
The Aftermath – Neymar Reigns Supreme
Keating was now down a staggering $360,000 in a matter of minutes. As the game concluded around 1:30 a.m., Neymar was the biggest winner of the night, turning a series of fortunate river cards into a $306,000 profit. Keating, meanwhile, walked away with the biggest loss of the session, down $478,850.
Other notable results included Dan Bilzerian, who made a comeback with a $24,000 win after being up more than $150,000 at one point, and Ninja, who lost over $90,000 despite his earlier heroics.
Picture courtesy of Danny Maxwell
Managing Editor
He graduated from the University of Kent in 2017 with a B.A. in German. He also holds an NCTJ Diploma in Sports Journalism.
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